U.S. unemployment claims fell to 194,000 last week from 200,000 the week before, the fewest in three months, a sign layoffs remain low. Claims have stayed at historically low levels this year, never topping 230,000 in a single week, and the four-week average dipped to 197,750. Hiring is sluggish in a “low-hire, low-fire” job market, and the unemployment rate ticked up to a still-low 4.2% last month. Employers have added an average of 68,000 jobs a month this year, better than 2025’s 9,700 but well below the 166,000 monthly average in 2023 and 2024.
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Related tickers and likely impact
DXY
▲ Likely positiveRelevance: medium
| Market | Currencies |
|---|---|
| Close on 10/21/2026 | 101.70 |
| Change that session | 0.00% |
EUR/USD
▼ Likely negativeRelevance: low
| Market | Currencies |
|---|---|
| Close on 10/21/2026 | 1.12328 |
| Change that session | -0.04% |
USD/JPY
▲ Likely positiveRelevance: low
| Market | Currencies |
|---|---|
| Close on 10/21/2026 | 158.148 |
| Change that session | -0.02% |
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Related news
- US weekly jobless claims near 57 - year lows amid low layoffs
- US weekly jobless claims near 57 - year lows amid low layoffs
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